Aloha...Group of 8 from 18 to 71 set out on a beautiful day from White River to Indian Bar...11.3 miles. We did the trip in 2021 counterclockwise, this year, clockwise. Log bridge in over White River and pleasant walk up Frying Pan creek valley. Once the bridge is crossed over the creek, up some switchbacks to Summerland. Great view but little busy with daytrippers. Then basically up 1000 feet in 1.4 miles to Panhandle Gap. We took the low route up the final ascent to gap thru talus/muck because there was still a dicey snow/ice field on trail near the top. Clear day, great views and a wonderful ramble thru the alpine slopes...goat herd off to the east grazing. Great views of Adams and Goat Rocks and then down to Indian Bar. Absolutely one of the best campsites in the PNW if you are in the shelter. New bridge just built over the river/falls.Aug 21 Indian Bar to Maple Creek...9.8 miles. The climb up from IB to point 5930 is well constructed with great views behind,front and all around. A reason for this trail to be called Wonderland. Then its down over 4 to 5 benches, thru the forest, past Box Canyon and up the creek to Maple Creek camp. Treed but ok. Aug 22 Maple Creek to Longmire..10.2 miles. This day is marked by waterfalls, forest walk, Reflection Lake and many daytrippers enjoying the trail/experience. There is still the washout up from MC camp, follow flags/cairns thru rockfield and up and down back to trail...probably .25 mile. We love staying at Longmire, food, comfort and shower...highly recommend! Aug 23 Longmire to South Puyallup...12.7 miles. Highlight of this area is Emerald Ridge...linger there. I was able to hike thru during sunset, sublime colors. Took Rampart Ridge up from Longmire and the cruised the ridge, then up and down over creeks, washout,suspension bridge and then up the ridge to Emerald. South Puyallup is very nice camp but had to get water .25 up trail from camp. Aug 24 SP to North Puyallup camp...7.5 miles. Highlight of day is spending time at St Andrews lake and the ridge walk to it. Saw several bears in this area, even little BooBoo grazing on berries. But the lake is such a great place to take off the pack, dip into the lake,lunch, and just reflect the mountain. Then off to NP camp, great camp on the old road, rock wall to sit on ....favorite treed camp. Aug 25 NP to Mowich Lake...15.9 miles, ugh for 71 year old knees. Beautiful walk to Golden Lakes, more bears. Then off to the 40+ switchbacks down to the Mowich....thank you to NPS for flagging, logs,cairns...easy to follow and get thru the Mowich maze. Then up, not a favorite climb, trail ok but just a darker forest climb. One advantage is Mowich is only a backpacker camp now, lot quieter. Aug 26 Mowich to Mystic Lake..13.3 miles. We took the Spray Park trail, Spray Park goes thru several benches, great views especially early in the morning. After summiting the ridge it is down but very interesting with different views,benches,streams all the way down to Carbon River. The mile up to Dicks Creek Camp is one of the hardest especially in the 80 degree afternoon sun. After that it is up but in forest eventually opening up to Moraine Park. Another delightful are that I passed thru at sunset, great colors. Then up over ridge and dropping into Mystic Lake area. Long day but the last part is great. Mystic camp is in trees but water close by. Aug 27 ML to Berkeley Park...8.3 miles. Down past Winthrop Glacier...WOW...then up to Skyscraper Mtn....Views! Then around the corner to the basin that leads down to BP, great camp. Off the beaten path, but near the babbling brook. Aug 28...BP to Sunrise...4 miles. Up early to catch the sunrise, coming up out of the park...face to face with Mr Goat and 40 of his pals. some were still sleeping in but most were grazing. Great walk up and around to Sunrise.
Happy trails to all and Mahalo for all the trail magic over the years
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